%

Cartagena Approves €274.5M Budget For 2025

Published

3 days ago

January 10, 2025

cartagena-approves-e274.5m-budget-for-2025

The Mayor of Cartagena, Noelia Arroyo, has unveiled the city’s 2025 budget, which totals €274.5 million.

This figure marks a 4.34 per cent increase compared to the previous year, reflecting the city’s ongoing commitment to growth and improvement. The budget’s primary goals are to ease the financial burden on residents, strengthen social programs, and attract key investments for the city’s future development.

Tax Relief and Support for Residents

A major component of the 2025 budget is focused on providing tax relief for the residents of Cartagena. The city’s decision to freeze taxes will result in savings of €11.7 million for local residents. This is part of an effort to make living in the city more affordable. In addition, new businesses setting up in Cartagena will be able to benefit from a ‘zero-rate’ tax for their first year, making it easier for entrepreneurs to start up and grow in the city. On top of that, defence companies will receive significant tax deductions if they hire more people, helping boost employment and support economic growth.

Support for Families and Housing Initiatives

Families will see new support measures introduced in the 2025 budget. One of the standout features is the baby bonus program, which provides financial assistance for parents. Families will receive €200 for the first child, €250 for two children, and €300 for three or more children. This initiative aims to provide extra support during the early years of child-rearing. Additionally, Cartagena will launch a free municipal daycare program starting next school year, which will be a huge help for working parents.

The budget also includes a housing strategy aimed at increasing the availability of affordable housing. With rising demand for homes, this initiative is vital in ensuring that residents have access to quality and affordable living options.

Enhancing social services

Social services in Cartagena will receive a substantial investment of €125.1 million, aimed at improving the city’s municipal services. This will include better security at cultural events, which will help make public celebrations and gatherings safer for residents. Improved transportation services are also part of the plan, making it easier for people to get around the city and access essential services.

Investment in culture and heritage

Cartagena’s rich cultural heritage is a priority in the 2025 budget, with over €7.5 million allocated to preserving the city’s historical sites and supporting local artists. Cartagena is known for its historical landmarks, and this investment will help ensure that they are preserved for future generations. The budget highlights the city’s dedication to maintaining its cultural legacy while promoting creativity within the local artistic community.

A budget focused on growth and wellbeing

This budget for 2025 reflects a balanced approach to Cartagena’s growth, combining economic development with a focus on family welfare and cultural preservation. By freezing taxes, offering financial support to families, and investing in the city’s infrastructure and cultural heritage, the budget outlines a clear path for continued improvement in Cartagena. The measures are designed to support the community and make the city a more attractive place for both residents and businesses.

Up Next

Thousands March Against Racism Portugal

Don't Miss

US Labor Market Remains Strong, Adding 256,000 Jobs In December

%

Palma De Mallorca Passenger Record

Published

4 hours ago

January 13, 2025

Anna Ellis

Image: Zixia / Shutterstock.com.

Palma de Mallorca Airport concluded 2024 with a record 33,298,164 passengers, marking a 7 per cent increase compared to 2023.

These figures, just released by Aena, confirm that it has been the busiest year in the airport’s history.

Of the total number of commercial passengers, 9,058,246 flew on domestic routes, a 5 per cent rise, while 24,225,720 travelled on international flights, an increase of 7.8 per cent.

In terms of operations, the airport handled 243,200 flights, up by 6.2 per cent from 2023, setting a new record for aircraft movements.

Passenger Records set in December at Palma de Mallorca Airport

In December 2024, Palma de Mallorca Airport saw 1,082,512 passengers, a 4.2 per cent increase over the same month in 2023. The airport managed 9,573 flights, representing a 2.8 per cent growth.

Of the passengers in December, 656,123 were domestic travellers (+1.1 per cent), while 426,254 were international passengers (+9.4 per cent).

The Aena Group, which operates 46 airports and two heliports in Spain, as well as London-Luton Airport and 17 airports in Brazil, closed 2024 with a total of 369,444,029 passengers, an 8.5 per cent increase from 2023. The group managed 3,203,747 aircraft movements, a 7.1 per cent rise, and handled 1,421,640 tonnes of cargo, an 18.1 per cent increase.

In December 2024, Aena Group airports processed 26,925,911 passengers, up by 7.2 per cent from the previous year.

%

Record Foreign House Music Earnings

Published

4 hours ago

January 13, 2025

John Smith

Franky Rizardo made 112 foreign performances in 2024 Credit: Franky Rizardo Facebook

Although there is no history of successful Dutch rock groups outside of the Netherlands, there is still plenty of export money to be made from current trends.

Looking back, it’s hard to find more than a handful of successful Dutch rock bands that were successful outside of their homeland with probably Alquin, Focus, Golden Earring, Shocking Blue and Supersister making up that that handful.

The Netherlands earned record foreign income from House Music performances in 2024

Where the Dutch are currently particularly strong is in the area of House Music and according to research commissioned by Buma Cultuur, this genre represented foreign earnings of €136 million in 2024 which accounts for 62 per cent of the grand total of €220 million.

This total figure represents a new record and beat the 2018 record by 11 per cent with the top four Dutch DJs and producers appearing outside of the Netherlands on 410 occasions in 2024 with the most in demand being Franky Rizardo.

It’s not just House Music that is popular as performances by André Rieu were in great demand around the world

One of the more traditional Dutch musicians, violinist and conductor André Rieu proved to be very popular with foreign audiences and although he performed more than once a week outside of the Netherlands, he has also earned an enormous amount from TV and DVD recordings of his massively popular concerts.

Until Brexit, the UK probably earned more overseas performance earnings than any other European country but although the top performers such as Elton John, Coldplay and Ed Sheeran can still afford to tour internationally, new rules and regulations have made it increasingly difficult for up and coming artists to take part in many European events.

%

Body Image, Food Anxiety Event Torremolinos

Published

4 hours ago

January 13, 2025

Marc Menendez-Roche

body-image,-food-anxiety-event-torremolinos

Struggling with body image, stress, and food anxiety? This event in Torremolinos might be for you. Credit: Vania Fit, Meetup

ON Saturday, January 25, 2025, from 10 AM to 12 PM CET, Hotel Barracuda Pool Bar in La Carihuela, Torremolinos, will host a unique event designed specifically for women struggling with body image issues, stress, and food anxiety. This gathering is for those who have longed to achieve their ideal body but have found it challenging due to emotional eating and anxiety.

The event is a safe space where attendees can learn about the root causes of their struggles with food and body image, and how to finally break free from these patterns. The focus is not on quick fixes or weight-loss products but on teaching women to live freely in their bodies, something the host has successfully done herself.

This isn’t just about learning how to manage your relationship with food – it’s about reclaiming confidence and being at peace with yourself. If you’re tired of promises of weight loss through shakes and pills, this event offers a refreshing alternative that focuses on self-awareness and lasting change.

Join in on January 25 for a morning of learning, sharing, and growth together. Come alone or bring your friends, and take part in networking with other like-minded women who are on a similar journey to self-love and personal growth.

Don’t miss the opportunity to meet like-minded women and begin your own journey to living in a body you love. The group is waiting for you.

Get more in English from around the Costa del Sol

Read more news in English from around Europe.